The Philippine Star - February 01, 2025

In this issue

February 01, 2025

Marcos 'very disturbed' by China 'sleeper agents'

President Marcos is “very disturbed” about the activities of suspected Chinese spies in the country as he assured the public that authorities are expanding the search for their cohorts and more “sleeper agents.”

1 min

PNP Official Among Fatalities in US Mid-Air Collision

A Filipino police official was among those killed in the mid-air collision between a passenger aircraft and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

1 min

Mass protests call for VP impeachment

Thousands gathered yesterday at the EDSA People Power Monument and EDSA Shrine in Quezon City and at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to press for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

5 mins

Wage Hike Must Not Hurt Small Businesses, Stoke Inflation - BBM

Malacañang is studying a proposed measure seeking a P200 across-the-board daily wage hike for private sector employees to ensure it will not be inflationary and hurt small businesses, President Marcos said yesterday.

1 min

Comelec readies rules on talent fees for endorsers

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will soon require candidates to include talent fees of influencers and celebrities in their campaign expenditures in the May midterm elections.

2 mins

Food security emergency may be declared on Feb. 4

A food security emergency can be declared on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said after he formally received the approved resolution of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC).

3 mins

Should religion influence laws? Most Pinoys think so - study

Even with the constitutional provision guaranteeing the separation of church and state, a recent study found that a majority of Filipinos believe that religion—specifically the Bible—should have a \"great deal of influence\" on national laws.

2 mins

Camp John Hay property owners seek BBM's intervention

A group of more than 60 private unit owners and investors at Camp John Hay in Baguio City has appealed to the government to allow them to remain in their units and engage in a dialogue with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to resolve their predicament.

2 mins

OCD Welcomes High Rating for Gov't Disaster Assistance

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) expressed its gratitude for the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which indicated that the Marcos administration received a \"very good\" rating for its efforts in aiding disaster victims.

1 min

Voters favor bets pushing for jobs, food security - SWS

Nine in 10 Filipino voters said they will support candidates who advocate for job generation, food security, quality health care, equal access to education and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFW), a recent survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

1 min

Expect gas price hike, diesel rollback next week

Gasoline prices are expected to increase, while diesel and kerosene costs are seen further declining in the first week of February.

1 min

Marcos wants admin sweep in Senate, local races

Calling them the “best people” and the “most effective public servants,” President Marcos is confident of the full victory of candidates under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas led by his Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) in the upcoming May elections.

2 mins

Marcos Wants Admin Sweep in Senate, Local Races

Calling them the \"best people\" and the \"most effective public servants,\" President Marcos is confident of the full victory of candidates under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas led by his Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) in the upcoming May elections.

2 mins

NSC backs BBM position on Typhon missile pullout

The National Security Council (NSC) has expressed support for President Marcos' setting as condition for the pullout of US Typhoon launchers China's withdrawal of its claims over Philippine territorial waters.

2 mins

4Ps Beneficiaries Hired at Job Fair to Get Additional Aid

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its sustainable livelihood program (SLP), will provide additional assistance to qualified Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries who were hired on the spot during the rollout of the \"Trabaho para sa Bagong Pilipinas\" job fair at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila yesterday.

1 min

QC Restaurants to Display Calorie Counts Starting December

Quezon City will start the phased implementation of its local policy mandating restaurants to display calorie counts later this year.

1 min

Online scam farm raided in Makati; 100 arrested

Law enforcement authorities arrested around 100 people yesterday in a raid on a suspected online scam farm they said extorted victims.

1 min

DA to open 57 more Kadiwa stores in MM

Fifty-seven more Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores will open in Metro Manila where affordable rice varieties will be available.

1 min

The Filipino connection

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

4 mins

Blanks

FIRST PERSON

3 mins

Destabilizers

EDITORIAL

2 mins

Gutom na, tanga pa

VIRTUAL REALITY

4 mins

Poverty, corruption, and accountability

AT GROUND LEVEL

4 mins

A spy istoryahe

THE BROADER VIEW

4 mins

US economy finished the year on strong note, but faces hurdles

World views

2 mins

Junk 'b'gay execs' term extension bill, Marcos urged

President Marcos has been asked to reject a proposal to extend the terms of office of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from three to six years.

2 mins

LTO summons rider in Marilaque stunt crash

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned a motorcycle rider involved in a stunt exhibition along Marilaque Highway in Tanay, Rizal that resulted in the death of another rider.

1 min

Israelis, Palestinians rejoice after more hostages are freed

Eight more hostages were freed from the Gaza Strip by Hamas-led militants on Thursday in a sometimes chaotic process that briefly delayed Israel's release of 110 Palestinian prisoners and underscored the fragility of the ceasefire that began earlier this month.

1 min

Trump blames 'diversity' for airliner collision

US President Donald Trump – speaking as the bodies of 67 people were being pulled from Washington’s Potomac River – launched an extraordinary political attack on Thursday, blaming diversity hires for the midair collision between an airliner and a military helicopter.

1 min

World awaits Trump tariff deadline on Canada, Mexico, China

With less than 24 hours before US President Donald Trump's deadline to impose sweeping tariffs on the three biggest US trading partners – Canada, Mexico and China – the global economy is bracing for impact.

1 min

Black boxes in Washington air disaster

US authorities said on Thursday it was not yet clear why a regional jet and a US Army helicopter collided at a Washington airport, killing 67 people in the deadliest US air disaster in more than 20 years.

1 min

Musicians Raise Money for LA Wildfire Relief

Pop stars, first responders, rock stars and those who've lost everything in the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires came together for FireAid, a massive benefit concert Thursday that combined spectacular performances with moving storytelling from survivors and reminders of the destruction.

1 min

Rubio: China plans to shut down Panama Canal if...

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday he had \"zero doubt\" that China has a contingency plan to shut down the Panama Canal in the event of a conflict with the US and that Washington intends to address what it sees as a national security threat.

1 min

Netflix Unveils 'Squid Game' Season 3 Premiere Date

The popular South Korean drama \"Squid Game\" will return to Netflix on June 27 for a third and final season, the streaming platform announced during its \"Next on Netflix\" event on Thursday.

1 min

Japan scrambles jets as Russian bombers fly over seas

Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian bombers flew over international waters around the country, Tokyo's top government spokesman said yesterday.

1 min

Korean snatches TCC crown

STA. ROSA, Laguna - Minwook Gwon clinched The Country Club Invitational title on his first attempt, securing victory with a clutch par in sudden death after Guido van der Valk faltered down the stretch yesterday at the TCC course here.

1 min

SGA barges into semis unbeaten

Undefeated Strong Group Athletics bullied its way to the semifinals with a 100-63 annihilation of Sharjah SC in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship yesterday at the Al Nasr Club.

1 min

Skating world in mourning

The victims of a crash between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter included teen figure skaters returning from a national meet with their mothers and coaches, an Ohio college student coming from her grandfather's funeral, two Chinese nationals and a group of hunters headed back from a guided trip in Kansas.

1 min

Creamline eyes win No. 7

Perfection. That is what Creamline would like to sustain as it shoots for win No. 7 versus an unpredictable Cignal today in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

1 min

Canlubang, Luisita in PAL Hall of Fame

Canlubang and Luisita, which formed the most storied rivalry in the rich history of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub, will lead three other clubs into enshrinement in the tournament's Hall of Fame, in time for the 76th staging of the country's biggest team golf championship.

1 min

Bronny gets share of limelight

Even on the road, Bronny James was quite a crowd favorite. Fans in Washington chanted for LeBron James' son early and often, and with the Los Angeles Lakers way ahead of the Wizards on Thursday night, the younger James played the entire fourth quarter of his team's 134-96 victory.

1 min

Refreshing WMPBL

The Game Of My Life

2 mins

January inflation likely settled within BSP target

Headline inflation may have settled within the 2.5 to 3.3 percent range in January, possibly breaching the three percent level amid higher prices of gas and food items, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

1 min

Sugar millers, refiners back import clearance fee on alternative sugars

The country's biggest groups of sugar millers and refiners have thrown their support behind the imposition of a clearance fee on imported sugar alternatives, claiming that the measure is not meant to impede importation of the commodities.

2 mins

Weaker economic growth calls for more easing

A widening negative output gap could justify further monetary policy easing, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said following the Philippine economy's weaker-than-anticipated gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the fourth quarter of 2024.

2 mins

Banks See Higher Loan Demand in Q1

Banks expect higher loan demand from companies and households this quarter after a series of interest rate cuts done by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last year.

1 min

PSEi sinks to 2-year low on disappointing growth

The local stock market sank to its lowest level in a little over two years, weighed down by the index rebalancing and prevailing negative sentiment from the country's economic growth in 2024.

1 min

SEC wants energy firms, hospitals to tap capital market

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to encourage more energy companies and hospitals to tap the capital market as a source of financing to fuel their expansion and business growth.

2 mins

ACEN Extends P30M to Wind Subsidiary

Ayala-led ACEN Corp. is extending a P30-million loan to its subsidiary responsible for the construction of a large-scale wind farm in Ilocos Norte.

1 min

MERALCO, PNP Joined Forces to Clear Illegal Service Connections in Pasay and Parañaque.

In its continuing pursuit to promote public safety and ensure stable and reliable electricity service to its customers, Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) recently conducted a joint clearing operations to address illegal service connections in parts of Pasay and Parañaque where around 100 kilograms of wires illegally connected to power facilities were confiscated.

1 min

CLI Beefing Up Hospitality Business, To Open 6 New Hotels

Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) will be jacking up its hospitality portfolio with the opening of six new hotels in Visayas and Mindanao.

1 min

Deteriorating penmanship

I love pens. I have lots of them and lost a lot of them, too.

3 mins

Megawide signs contract for Cavite BRT

The coast is clear for infrastructure builder Megawide Construction Corp. to undertake the P1.87-billion development of Cavite's first bus rapid transit (BRT) now that it has received green light to proceed with the project.

1 min

Factory gate prices decline in 2024

Producer prices declined in 2024 compared to the previous year, mainly due to the slower growth in food prices, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

2 mins

DBP, LBP seek loan payment

Two government-owned banks have demanded the immediate payment of loans obtained by a huge shipping company based in Cebu.

5 mins

Factory gate prices decline in 2024

Producer prices declined in 2024 compared to the previous year, mainly due to the slower growth in food prices, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

2 mins

FedEx Brings Day-Definite Service in Phl

Courier giant FedEx Corp. has brought into the Philippines its international, day-definite delivery to support the growing demand for logistics services in the e-commerce industry.

1 min

Pru Life UK, AAIIBP partner to boost Islamic finance

Pru Life UK has partnered with Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP) for initiatives geared toward financial promotion and education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

1 min

Emperador Acquires Luxury Mezcal Company in Mexico

Emperador Inc., the global brandy and whisky conglomerate led by tycoon Andrew Tan, is expanding its premium product portfolio with the majority acquisition of a Mexican company that owns premium mezcal brands.

1 min

Dito Uses Up 67% of FOO Proceeds

Telco owner Dito CME Holdings Corp. has used up two-thirds of the proceeds it raised from its recent fundraising, funding commercial expansion to grab more consumers to its side.

1 min

EPI Unit Allots P1.2 B for Grid Integration of Solar Farm

A subsidiary of Emerging Power Inc. (EPI) has set aside P1.19 billion to integrate its 145-megawatt-peak solar farm in Zambales into the Luzon grid.

1 min

Phl Expected To Grow By 5.4% This Year

The Philippines is likely to post a slower economic growth this year due to an expected slowdown in government spending and private investment growth, according to United Kingdom-based think tank Pantheon Macroeconomics.

1 min

Yuchengco eyes to complete 2-GW wind farm by 2030

Yuchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC) wants to unlock the full potential of its massive offshore wind project in Northern Luzon by 2030, fueling the country's bold push for clean energy.

2 mins

Davao-Samal bridge on track to completion - DPWH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is gaining headway in the development of the P23.52-billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project, putting it on schedule for completion by 2028.

1 min

TERNOCON 2025: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN FASHION & ART

This is the most challenging edition,\" Ben Chan, CEO of Bench/Suyen Corp., announced in his speech to open the fourth Ternocon competition, fashion and cultural show at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the culmination of the past year's rigorous mentorship program of 12 designer finalists handpicked from all over the country.

5 mins

A love story for the ages

Love was in full bloom as Bert and Nonie Basilio celebrated their 66th (sapphire) wedding anniversary, as well as Nonie’s 88th birthday at Makati Shangri-La, Manila.

1 min

A love story for the ages

Love was in full bloom as Bert and Nonie Basilio celebrated their 66th (sapphire) wedding anniversary, as well as Nonie's 88th birthday at Makati Shangri-La, Manila.

1 min

C6 K-pop

The mentors shared their criteria for selecting the next global idols, revealing diverse perspectives on talent, skill, and personal impact.

2 mins

Taylor Swift to Present at the Grammys

The 2025 Grammy Awards are right around the corner, which means it is time to get those viewing party plans in action.

2 mins

Pinay Superhero Pearl Pangan Makes a Splash as Peter Parker's New Crush

The show not only reintroduces Peter Parker in a fun, fresh way but also introduces new, exciting characters from across the Marvel Universe, including our very first Marvel Filipina superhero, Pearl Pangan, also known as Wave, who makes her debut in the show.

2 mins

K-POP STARS SEARCH FOR NEXT GLOBAL IDOL GROUP IN TV5, MLD'S 'BE THE NEXT: 9 DREAMERS'

K-POP ICON 2NE1'S Sandara Park, AB6IX's Park Woojin, Bang Ye-dam, HORIZON's Vinci, Hyebin (formerly of MOMOLAND), EXO's CHEN, choreographer Bae Wan Hee and producer Bullseye will headline TV5 and MLD Entertainment PH's \"Be the NEXT: 9 Dreamers.\"

3 mins

Tanaw Collective Celebrates New Beginnings in Debut Single Landslide

Tanaw Collective, a newly formed supergroup comprised of celebrated singer-songwriters Acel Bisa, Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Hannah Romawac, Kitchie Nadal, and Lougee Basabas, has recently released their first official single, Landslide, across all digital music platforms worldwide.

2 mins

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